Reports have been circulating in recent years that the US mother body, Tammy Taylor Nails, Inc (a California corporation) has instructed the South African chapter to stop trading under its name amid ongoing several contractual disputes between the two companies. This means the future of multitudes of SA franchise holders, among them South Africa’s much-loved showbiz personalities Lerato Kganyago and Omuhle Gela, hangs in the balance.
As a fierce legal battle forges ahead, Tammy Taylor franchise owner Melany ‘Mel’ Viljoen has finally responded to the accusations, alluding that the American licensor was being dishonest: “Tammy Rae Taylor and her family (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Americans’) has a turbulent relationship with the truth.”
The statement, sent to NOWinSA, further reads: “The Americans fail to explain the meaning of the word ‘manufacture’. One can not license something you do not manufacture or did not invent. The concept of the Tammy Taylor franchise was invented by Melany Viljoen in South Africa.
“There is no similar salon concept or namesake in the rest of the world. There seems to be confusion with some reporters that Tammy Taylor is an American franchise group, and that the Americans can take it away from South Africa. This is not the case. The company owned by Melany Viljoen registered the trademark in South Africa. Melany entered into several agreements with the Americans and has never reneged on her word. It is apparent from the letter from the Americans that they intended on a brutal takeover of the empire Melany Viljoen built.The South African courts do not recognise American law, and the trademark shall remain the property of Melany Viljoen until a South African court rules otherwise.”
Tammy Taylor Nails is an American company started by Tammy Taylor in 1983. Viljoen and her husband, Peet, has acquired the sole ownership and distributorship of the brand in South Africa, and has since turned it into a salon giant renowned not only for its highest quality nail products, but tools and procedures that helped shape the SA nail industry.
Though primarily a nail salon franchise, they also offer services like massages and facials.
Viljoen, a motivational speaker and one of the main stars of the soon-to-launch reality TV show, Die Real Housewives Van Pretoria, says her number one focus in the meantime is to maintain the well-being of all franchisees and the quality of the nails the company is known for.
“Melany now buys products in bulk directly from the source, and has been doing so for the past three years. Tammy Taylor South Africa has enough products to supply existing franchisees for at least ten years and Tammy Taylor South Africa positioned itself in the epicentre of a billion dollar industry.”
